Posted on 04/02/2022 1:33:17 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
Ukraine has taken back the 'whole Kyiv region' from Russian troops, the country's deputy defence minister said today as the fightback against the invaders continues.
In a statement posted on social media, Hanna Maliar said: 'Irpin, Bucha, Gostomel and the whole Kyiv region were liberated from the invader.'
Irpin and Bucha, commuters towns outside Kyiv, were retaken by the Ukrainian army this week. Both towns have suffered vast destruction and high civilian death tolls.
Bucha's mayor said 280 people had been buried in a mass grave in the town and that corpses littered the streets.
At least 200 people have been killed in Irpin, a suburb of Kyiv, since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, while Gostomel, near Kyiv, was the setting of heavy fighting to take control of the airfield there.
Ukraine has said Russia is withdrawing from northern areas and appears to be focusing on the east and south of the country.
Downing Street said that Boris Johnson had called to congratulate Ukrainian President Zelensky's 'brave armed forces' for successfully pushing back Russia's invading forces and agreed to continue increasing the economic pressure on Vladimir Putin.
It came as once-bustling highways on the outskirts of Kyiv have now become a graveyard for scores of Vladimir Putin's tanks as the Ukrainians continue their successful counterattacks around the capital.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Good news is always the first to fall when fake news is floating around.
sure
You can find plenty of sources from both Russian and Ukrainian sources on Twitter and Telegram.
Clearly, the Russian Command ordered withdrawal from around Kiev and Chernihiv, but why?
Possibly, they just assessed their losses and advances, revised their war aims to current conditions, and are reprioritizing the Donbas as their main effort. That is the generally accepted analysis - Russian doctrine is to reinforce success, and the Donbas is their most valuable goal, that is assessed as still achievable.
But another theory is that Belarus wants out of its role in the war. Those forces that entered from Belarus are the only ones withdrawing, and are doing it massively (although in an ordered fashion, covered by artillery and air). Today was the first day in weeks that no missiles or air strikes were launched into the Ukraine from Belarus.
It might be the sanctions, it might be the domestic political opposition in Belarus, it might be an updated assessment of the military situation, or the combination. Lukashenko has been running Belarus for over 30 years, and his first priority is likely Lukashenko.
Wanna bet?
That's a genius strategic plan. In order to attack a couple of thousand territorial defense fighters in Mariupol Putin sends a big chunk of his army to die fighting around Kyiv. More Russians have died near Kyiv than the total number of Azov members.
That actually seems like Putin did the killing for Azov, and threw away hundreds of tanks, IFVs, and trucks in the process.
You're clueless to what is going on and what the Russian strategy.
The Russian strategy is to force a surrender under their terms. They need to keep the government in tact to do that.
The Russians don't even necessarily want the whole country under their control, just the eastern half. The goal was to free Donbass from an eight-year war the neo-Nazi Azov bastards were determined to fight and get the water flow turned back onto Crimea.
Yeah huh. I prefer a 4th dimensional approach. Where are the Putin Puffers loudly proclaiming that this is untrue? Where are their counter-sources? Once they post their counter-info then I have a better idea where things are at. Saves a lot of time wading through tons of bullshiite.
It's far better than shock and awe idiocy that can only work with an infinite occupation of the country.
But, you'll find out soon that Russians will be getting what they want out of this.
[It might be the sanctions, it might be the domestic political opposition in Belarus, it might be an updated assessment of the military situation, or the combination. Lukashenko has been running Belarus for over 30 years, and his first priority is likely Lukashenko.]
Sure, I’ll bet you a million Freeper Bucks
because the Russian forces have just been so convincing after 5 weeks and no gains
Don’t see how the Russians can fail to get the Azov Sea and a land bridge to Crimea. Which IMO would be sufficient goals.
But, since they failed to take Hostomel, the Kiev battle can only be seen as a huge defeat for Russia. Though they seem to at least be having an orderly retreat.
Though if the SOF is being well supplied- and with the new weapons- then their aims in eastern Ukraine could be very difficult. Hard to tell whats going on there.
“I thought Putin owned the securitate in Belarus, and Lukashenko was his marionette.”
Could be by now, but Lukashenko was in charge in Belarus about five years before Putin came to power in Russia, so he is something of his own man.
The Belarussian Securitate may have the option to back away from an impending disaster, that the Russians don’t, because they have an alternative to Putin to fall back on, in Lukashenko.
Perhaps Intelligence or Diplomatic channels, or Belarus’ own Military, are bringing them information of a likely escalation or collapse, that would take Belarus with it, if they don’t get out of the line of fire. Could be some insider selling, or rats fleeing a sinking ship.
Maybe it is the Belarussian Securitate prioritizing their own post-war survival, rather than (or in collaboration with) Lukashenko.
Don’t see how the Russians can fail to get the Azov Sea and a land bridge to Crimea.
***Perhaps you meant to say “canNOT fail”? Then your post would make sense.
Which IMO would be sufficient goals.
***I think they already have that.
But, since they failed to take Hostomel, the Kiev battle can only be seen as a huge defeat for Russia.
***Nope. When you look at their objective: Oil & gas reserves, split the country. You draw a line from Russia to the west of those reserves, to the river just below Kieeeyyyev. That’s where this war will end if they’re going for the OIL.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4050958/posts
They do not care about Kieeeyyyev nor what’s west of it.
Though they seem to at least be having an orderly retreat.
***They will retreat to the line along the east from the river to Russia.
Though if the SOF is being well supplied- and with the new weapons- then their aims in eastern Ukraine could be very difficult. Hard to tell whats going on there.
***No one is well supplied in this war.
The majority of the Ukrainian army is pinned down on the Donbass front in the east.
They can't disengage [under fire, and limited fuel supplies].
The Russians apparently threatened the capital in order to keep the Uke army in the east from being reinforced.
“Don’t see how the Russians can fail to get the Azov Sea and a land bridge to Crimea.
***Perhaps you meant to say “canNOT fail”? Then your post would make sense.”
LOL!
No, I don’t see how they can fail- unless the Ukrainian forces in the East are extremely well supplied.
Especially with anti-air weapons.
Anti-ship weapons would also be devastating to Russia. Their naval forces are their trump card in Azov and the Black Sea.
“The Russians apparently threatened the capital in order to keep the Uke army in the east from being reinforced.”
That doesn’t seem to have happened though.
The SOF is doing a very good job of fighting. Much better than I, and I think most, expected. The forces sent to Kiev, in hindsight, would have done more good in the East.
IDK, still a chance that Russia can encircle the U army in the East, but it’s looking more doubtful. Would have to happen very soon.
Look closely and you will see multiple images of the same scenes.
Sure. That is why they sacrificed 200 elite paratroopers in a foiled attempt to take the airfield at Hostornel, and lost hundreds of armored vehicles and thousands of casualties near Kiev.
If they capture a a government, it is easy enough to force terms with that government.
It is practically SOP to do so.
Maybe that was the plan. If so, the Russians need better planners.
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